Taking Three Steps Back

It’s proper to take three steps forward before Shemoneh Esrei to show that one is going to do an obligatory mitzvah. The halacha doesn’t require taking three steps back, but the minhag haOlam is to take three steps back in order to take three steps forward. [1]

If taking 3 steps back in order to take 3 steps back involves waling into the 4 amot of someone Davening, don’t take these steps back at all and just start Shemoneh Esrei. [2]

Some have the custom of saying ki shem Hashem ekra havu godel lelokeinu before the shmoneh esrei of mincha or Mussaf. If one forgot it and has already begun Hashem sfatai he does not go back. [3]

After Shemonei Esrei, one should make take three steps backwards while bowing like a servant parting from his master. If one didn't do so, it is as if one didn't pray.[4]

There’s an absolute obligation to take 3 steps back after Shemoneh Esrei and wait there until the Sheliach Tzibbur gets to Kedusha or at least starts Chazarat HaShas. [5] An individual who finishes Shemoneh Esrei should take take three steps back anf wait there the time it takes for the שליח Tzibbur to reach Kedusha or in extenuating circumstances at least the time it takes to walk 4 amot (3 seconds or so). If one doesn’t wait after taking the 3 steps back it appears that one didn’t take the 3 steps back really in order to depart from Hashem respectfully. [6]

It’s proper to take three steps forward only after waiting the proper time (subsequent to taking three steps back). [7]

Sources

↑RamaRabbi Moshe Isserles (1525-1572), Rabbi in Cracow, Poland, major ashkenazic halachic authority. Author of Darkei Moshe on the Tur, Sh"t Harama a set of responsa, and most famously the haghot on the SA. 95:1, Mishna BrurahRabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan (1838 – 1933), known popularly as The Chofetz Chaim from his book on the laws of [[Lashon Hara]], was an influential Lithuanian Rabbi, author of the Mishna Brurah as well as the Beur Halacha which is in more detail and the Shaar Hatziyun which quotes sources 95:3, Piskei Teshuvot 95:3

↑Mishna BrurahRabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan (1838 – 1933), known popularly as The Chofetz Chaim from his book on the laws of [[Lashon Hara]], was an influential Lithuanian Rabbi, author of the Mishna Brurah as well as the Beur Halacha which is in more detail and the Shaar Hatziyun which quotes sources 123:11

↑S”A 123:2, Mishna BrurahRabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan (1838 – 1933), known popularly as The Chofetz Chaim from his book on the laws of [[Lashon Hara]], was an influential Lithuanian Rabbi, author of the Mishna Brurah as well as the Beur Halacha which is in more detail and the Shaar Hatziyun which quotes sources 123:8 writes that one should rush taking these the steps forward because in doing so one will loose the actual law regarding waiting in the place one took three steps back.